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"It is the honourable characteristic of Poetry that its materials are to be found in every subject which can interest the human mind." William Wordsworth The Troubadour Podcast invites you into a world where art is conversation and conversation is art. The conversations on this show will be with some living people and some dead writers of our past. I aim to make both equally entertaining and educational.In 1798 William Wordsworth and Samuel Coleridge published Lyrical Ballads, which Wordswor ...
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Everyone has a radio, TV, newspaper in their pocket. Everyone has a transmitter in their pocket. It is time to turn media on its head. Tune in for marketing stories to help launch your personal media company. Whether your audience is one or one million, stories are essential to your growth.
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Ahab's Tears - Moby Dick Character Analysis & Dramatic Reading
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Send us a text In this video I give a brief analysis of Ahab's character and a reading of one of his speeches in chapter 132, The Symphony.By Kirk j Barbera
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Epic Mahabharata Tales: Uncovering Female Agency, Divine Curses & Royal Intrigue
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2:24:17
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Send us a text Join me for an in-depth conversation with actress and poet Divya Goruganthu as we unravel the rich layers of the Mahabharata Tales! In this episode, we dive into one of India's most enduring epics, exploring its poetic structure, complex characters, and the intricate interplay of female agency, divine curses, and royal intrigue. What…
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Experience The Iliad: Live Performance of Epic Passages
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Send us a text Join me for a dynamic live reading of The Iliad, bringing the epic drama, passion, and power of Achilles to life. Experience firsthand how Homer's timeless verses still resonate today, connecting ancient heroes with modern audiences. From fierce rivalries and heartbreaking losses to legendary battles, watch Achilles come alive in thi…
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Can Genetics Predict Our Future? Razib Khan on Natalism, Free Will, and Human History
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Send us a text In this episode of Troubadour, Kirk Barbera sits down with geneticist Razib Khan to explore a provocative question: Does our DNA determine our beliefs and behaviors? Razib, known for his work in population genetics, computational biology, and his blog Unsupervised Learning, delves into the intersection of genetics, free will, and nat…
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From Babbling to Beethoven: The Evolution of Music, Language, and Consciousness
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Send us a text Join Kirk and Dr. Aleksey Nikolsky on a fascinating journey through human expression in this episode where we explore how our earliest babbling blossoms into the complex symphonies of Beethoven. We dive into the intertwined evolution of music and language—uncovering the biological foundations that make us instinctively responsive to …
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Transforming Life Through Imagination: The Secret of Blake’s “The Crystal Cabinet”
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Send us a text Unlock the secret of transformation through imagination with William Blake’s “The Crystal Cabinet.” In this video, I explore how Blake’s vivid metaphors—the crystal cabinet, the golden key, and the mystical portal—reveal a timeless process of inner change and self-discovery. As a modern romantic realist, I blend personal reflections …
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The Iliad - A new Translation for Young Adults (chapter one)
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Send us a text This a sample of a new translation of the Iliad for young adults that I have completed. I have crafted this from the original greek into Modern English Verse. That is, verse that is readable by a modern reading public. Support my kickstarter so I can publish this work and do a full recording of all 24 chapters of the Iliad. http://kc…
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Inside the Mahabharata: Epic Conflicts, Greek Parallels, and Modern Lessons
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1:37:36
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Send us a text Join host Kirk and special guest Srini—an engineer and Sanskrit scholar—as they uncover the hidden depths of the Mahabharata, one of India’s most celebrated epics. From analyzing the epic’s timeless themes of loyalty and honesty to drawing unexpected parallels with Greek myths, this discussion reveals how the Mahabharata continues to…
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Mahabharata Tales: East Meets West – Reflections on Epic Wisdom
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Send us a text Join A.Y Oza and Kirk Barbera for a thought-provoking discussion that bridges ancient Indian epic storytelling with the timeless insights of Western literature. We explore how the Mahabharata’s themes of duty, philosophy, and cosmic order resonate across cultures—inviting you to discover epic wisdom in a modern light.…
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Unlocking the Mahabharata: India’s Greatest Epic Retold
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Send us a text Discover the power and passion behind the Mahabharata—India’s most famous epic. In this video, we explore the key stories, characters, and lessons from the Mahabharata, offering educational insights for those new to the epic and fresh perspectives for returning fans. This isn’t just a history lesson; it’s a preview of our upcoming li…
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Lessons from Don Quixote & The Fountainhead: Navigating Idealism and Reality
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Send us a text *Talk given at Third Thursday in Austin. In this in-depth lecture, we examine the timeless wisdom in Miguel de Cervantes’ Don Quixote and Ayn Rand’s The Fountainhead. Learn how literary heroes—and antiheroes—can help us stay grounded while pursuing lofty ambitions. We’ll discuss Peter Keating, Howard Roark, and Don Quixote as models …
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Discussion: The Romantic Manifesto by Ayn Rand and the Role of Art
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Send us a text Join us for a thought-provoking discussion on Ayn Rand's The Romantic Manifesto and the profound role of art in human life. In this group conversation, we explore key ideas from Rand's groundbreaking work, including: The purpose of art and how it shapes our consciousness Why literature, movies, and other art forms resonate differentl…
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Book Burning and the Birth of Modernity: Inside Cervantes’ Don Quixote
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Send us a text Read Don Quixote with me and a community of readers by joining the Literary Canon Club https://www.troubadour.studio/reading... In this video, we explore the famous (and surprisingly humorous) book-burning scene in Don Quixote—and how Miguel de Cervantes used satire to critique censorship, champion storytelling, and essentially inven…
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Don Quixote & the Future of Film: How Classic Literature Shapes Modern Media.
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Send us a text Join host Kirk Barbera and Denver filmmaker Rob Shearer as they explore how Miguel de Cervantes’ Don Quixote still resonates in today’s film and media landscape. From the balance between imagination and reality to the impact of AI on creativity, this lively conversation weaves together classic literature, modern media trends, and the…
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Why The Iliad Still Matters: Heroes, Glory & Human Emotion
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Send us a text In this episode of The Troubadour Show, host Kirk Barbera welcomes teacher, literature coach, and art educator Luc Travers to explore Homer’s Iliad—the ancient Greek epic that helped shape Western civilization. Discover why The Iliad remains timeless: from Achilles’ legendary rage and Hector’s humanizing struggles, to the eternal que…
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Discovering Keats’s ‘Ode on a Grecian Urn’ Through the World of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
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Send us a text Join me on a journey that blends literary analysis with interactive history! In this video, I use the immersive world of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey as a backdrop to re-experience John Keats’s famous Romantic poem, “Ode on a Grecian Urn.” By imagining the vibrant art and culture of ancient Greece—just as the game brings it to life—we’ll…
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Defending Free Speech: Professor Tara Smith on the First Amendment and Intellectual Freedom
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Send us a text Join us for an enlightening conversation with Professor Tara Smith, a University of Texas philosopher and an expert on Ayn Rand’s Objectivism, as we delve deep into the First Amendment and the imperative of intellectual freedom. You can buy Tara's book, which includes essays and contributions by Onkar Ghate, Greg Salmieri, and Elan. …
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I Saw a Man This Morning’: The WWI Poem That Redefines The Iliad
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Send us a text "I Saw a Man This Morning" is more than just a poem; it’s a profound reflection on war, mortality, and the enduring power of the Western canon. Written by WWI soldier and poet Patrick Shaw-Stewart, this haunting piece draws a poignant parallel between the trench warfare of the 20th century and the heroism of Homer’s Achilles. In this…
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Austin: City of Tomorrow W/Ryan Puzycki
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Send us a text Ryan Pazicki joins us to reimagine the future of Austin, Texas as a leading urban center. What if Austin could surpass New York and Los Angeles? We explore this ambitious vision, focusing on the influx of Californians and New Yorkers and the sentiment of "Don't California, my Texas." We delve into how fostering human connection, comm…
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Exploring the Future of Artificial General Intelligence with Peter Voss
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Send us a text Can artificial intelligence truly replicate human consciousness and creativity? Join us on the Troubadour channel as we sit down with Peter Voss, a trailblazer in the field of artificial intelligence, to explore this profound question. Peter takes us through his captivating journey from electronics engineering to becoming a key figur…
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Exploring William Blake's 'The Shepherd' with Kirk Barbera
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Send us a text Have you ever wondered how the simple melody of a poem can captivate the mind of a child? Join me, Kirk Barbera, as we journey through William Blake's enchanting "The Shepherd" from his iconic collection "Songs of Innocence and of Experience." Expect to immerse yourself in the soothing sounds of Blake's poetry while I read aloud and …
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Bringing Shakespeare to Life in the Classroom: Transforming K-12 Education with Austin Shakespeare
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Send us a text Ever wonder how Shakespeare's intricate language and timeless stories can transform K-12 education? Join us in an enlightening conversation with Kirk and Anne Ciccolella from Austin Shakespeare as we uncover the secrets to making classic literature accessible and exciting for young students. Learn how Shakespeare's complex narratives…
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Send us a text Can poetry transform the way you perceive the world? Journey with us as we explore the enchanting and profound works of William Blake, one of the most versatile artists and thinkers of his time. We'll uncover why Blake’s "Songs of Innocence and Experience" serve as the perfect introduction to poetry for all ages, revealing deep insig…
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Reimagining Comics: An Artistic Journey W/Michael Morse
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Send us a text Find Michael Morse's art on instagram @themichaelmorse What if comic books were more than just colorful stories for kids? Join me as I sit down with Michael Morse, an expert in comic book history and an artist with a penchant for Godzilla-inspired figurines. Michael reveals the complexities behind producing official merchandise and s…
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Red Pill Poison: Unpacking the Controversy and Misconceptions
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Send us a text Are men today navigating love and relationships with outdated maps? Join us as we sit down with Mike Mazza, associate fellow at the Ayn Rand Institute, to explore the controversial red pill manosphere's impact on modern dating advice. From fitness and fashion to the contentious pickup artist culture, Mike recounts his journey through…
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